Conversation with WWE Superstar Orlando Jordan

I have grown up in the shadows of professional wrestling. Being raised in Amarillo, the stomping ground of the Funk family will do that to a kid. Most kids grow-out of wrestling, but I never did.

Every Monday night you will find me in front of a television watching Monday Night Raw. I had never seen one episode of "Everybody Loves Raymond" until it was picked up in syndication. Monday Night Football?? Never heard of it.

So, when I was granted access to a WWE superstar, my life had reached its pinnacle. The process of getting in touch with the WWE was like Christmas time for me. First, I get a phone call from Joe Villa, the man who would put me on the phone with one of my heroes. It was like Christmas Eve, you get to open one present, but you know the good stuff won't come until later.

Then came Christmas morning, or in my case Friday afternoon. Joe called me to inform me that I would be talking with Orlando Jordan, one of the Smack Down superstars who will be in the United Spirit Arena today at 7:30 p.m. We talked for about 20 minutes about everything from the biggest misconception about wrestling to what it was like for the Miami resident to see the affects of Hurricane Katrina.

What attracted you to professional wrestling?

Orlando Jordan: I have been watching wrestling since I was 6 years old, and I always wanted to be a part of the WWE family.

What was it like to train with Rocky Johnson, father of wrestler-turned-movie star The Rock?

O.J.: Rocky is really a special person, a genius when it comes to wrestling. I call him my uncle and consider him a part of my family. He taught me both the physical and mental side of this business. He told me, "Your body is going to be a physical wreck when you're career is over," and he got me ready for that.

Also, he taught me that there is a mental approach to this business, too. You have to go out and give 110 percent every night because the guy in the ring with you is going to do the same. There's no room to slack off.

How many days a year do you spend on the road?

O.J.: Oh, shoot, anywhere from 280 to 316 days a year. Most people's week starts on Monday, but mine starts on Saturday. I fly out to a city, work out and find a place to eat. Then, I get situated in my hotel and get ready to perform. After the show, I'm driving or flying to another city, and I usually don't arrive until 1 to 2 a.m. I do that four to five days a week. Sometimes I also make appearances. If I am lucky, I get to go home for two or three days a week.

What do you do in your spare time?

O.J.: When I'm at home, I'm usually packing and getting ready to go back out on the road and perform. But I like to chill, go to clubs and just relax.

What is the biggest sacrifice you made to become a wrestler?

O.J.: Oh, man, my life - the life I used to have. Everything changes, like on my day off, I'm talking to you. But that is a decision you make when you become a wrestler. It doesn't matter what I'm doing, I'm always going to be Orlando Jordan, "Chief of Staff" and the best wrestler on Smack Down, even if I'm getting gas. It's like Clark Kent and Superman. Who I am in the ring, that's very much a part of my personality. But I also have a chill side of myself that I am when I'm not in the ring.

You made your WWE debut in Madison Square Garden. What was that like?

O.J.: The best way I can describe it is that it was like being on fire, but not getting burned. There's an electricity in Madison Square Garden. And to go out there against a guy like John Cena, you have to make an impact. And when the Undertaker, a guy who I call "the Godfather" of wrestling gave me props after the match, I knew that I had made an impact.

What is the biggest misconception about professional wrestling?

O.J.: That we don't get hurt, that this isn't real. People get the sports and entertainment confused. So that's one of the big annoyances. Guys get hurt, let me tell you. Getting put in the Crippler Crossface hurts.

You, along with John Cena, Shelton Benjamin and Randy Orton, are a group of young guys who can perform both in the ring and on the microphone. How important is that?

O.J.: Well, Rocky told me, you have to have the charisma. You have to have the skills in the ring and on the mike because only the strongest are going to survive.

When your career is over, how would you like to be remembered?

O.J.: ManI'd like to be remembered as a 6 foot 4, 257 pound wildcat who whooped ass. And, as the greatest Smack Down wrestler -- which I already am - and as the greatest World Champion ever.

Finally, you're from Miami, which definitely has a hurricane culture. What was it like to see the devastation of Hurricane Katrina?

O.J.: It was horrific. At first, I didn't think it was near that bad. I got on a plane, and when I got off, everything was shutting down. Everything was under red alert. Unless it was a palm tree, every tree was ripped out of the ground. And also the devastation to people's homes. It's just material things, but people have invested their lives in it. It had a big impact.

Thanks for your time Orlando.

O.J.: Not a problem. I'm looking forward to coming to Lubbock and whooping some butt. Everyone is gonna leave that place talking about O.J.